Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers
Problems related to the recognition of skills and education acquired by immigrants abroad and their ability to translate them into similar work and income in Canada are well-known. This paper attempts to quantify, insofar as possible the mismatch between education and skills attained abroad by comparing pre-arrival and post-arrival job statuses amongst newcomers to Canada who have been in the country for five years or less. Our results reveal that there is, in fact, a significant decline in job status for newcomers, which is influenced by province of residence, place of education attainment, and length of time in Canada. Problems related to the recognition of skills and education acquired by immigrants abroad and their ability to translate them into similar work and income in Canada are well-known. This paper attempts to quantify, insofar as possible the mismatch between education and skills attained abroad by comparing pre-arrival and post-arrival job statuses amongst newcomers to Canada who have been in the country for five years or less. Our results reveal that there is, in fact, a significant decline in job status for newcomers, which is influenced by province of residence, place of education attainment, and length of time in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
There is limited global research addressing the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the unique context in Alberta, Canada. While academic attention on the broad topic of professional migration of social workers has gained some traction over the past decade, the emerging literature has so far lacked a comparative gender analysis of the experiences of professional migration among social workers. The purpose of the present study was to develop enhanced understanding of the experiences of professional adaptation of migrant social workers in the Albertan context through a comparative gender analysis. This dissertation emerged from my involvement as a research assistant on a national study on the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in Canada. While coordinating data collection for the Alberta site of the national study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 17 male and female migrant social workers that had migrated to Alberta, Canada within the past decade. From these 17 interviews, 10 transcripts of interviews were selected as cases for secondary analysis in order to answer the question: How do female and male migrant social workers in Alberta experience their professional adaptation to practice in their new context? The research method employed in the secondary study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a form of qualitative inquiry that examines how people make sense of significant lived experiences. Intersectionality theory and postcolonial feminisms provided the theoretical framework for the study, facilitating attention to both the macro-level factors that structure lived experiences and interactions, and the micro-level processes and interpretations that shape social identities. Engaging with the detailed personal accounts of the participants provided new understandings of how male and female migrant social workers both similarly and differentially interpret and make meaning out of their experiences of professional adaptation. The study makes an important contribution to existing knowledge about professional adaptation in the context of transnational labour mobility. Notably, it is among the first studies to explore the professional adaptation processes of migrant social workers in Alberta, as well as among the earliest works to engage in a qualitative comparative gender analysis that explores these experiences. There is limited global research addressing the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in general, and a dearth of scholarship specific to the unique context in Alberta, Canada. While academic attention on the broad topic of professional migration of social workers has gained some traction over the past decade, the emerging literature has so far lacked a comparative gender analysis of the experiences of professional migration among social workers. The purpose of the present study was to develop enhanced understanding of the experiences of professional adaptation of migrant social workers in the Albertan context through a comparative gender analysis. This dissertation emerged from my involvement as a research assistant on a national study on the professional adaptation of migrant social workers in Canada. While coordinating data collection for the Alberta site of the national study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 17 male and female migrant social workers that had migrated to Alberta, Canada within the past decade. From these 17 interviews, 10 transcripts of interviews were selected as cases for secondary analysis in order to answer the question: How do female and male migrant social workers in Alberta experience their professional adaptation to practice in their new context? The research method employed in the secondary study was interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a form of qualitative inquiry that examines how people make sense of significant lived experiences. Intersectionality theory and postcolonial feminisms provided the theoretical framework for the study, facilitating attention to both the macro-level factors that structure lived experiences and interactions, and the micro-level processes and interpretations that shape social identities. Engaging with the detailed personal accounts of the participants provided new understandings of how male and female migrant social workers both similarly and differentially interpret and make meaning out of their experiences of professional adaptation. The study makes an important contribution to existing knowledge about professional adaptation in the context of transnational labour mobility. Notably, it is among the first studies to explore the professional adaptation processes of migrant social workers in Alberta, as well as among the earliest works to engage in a qualitative comparative gender analysis that explores these experiences.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate. Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay affecting the primary teeth of preschool children. Canadian surveys have found that children from disadvantaged groups, including recent immigrants, have higher rates of caries and lower rates of dental visits than Canadian-born children and tend to seek dental care for treatment reasons.Oral diseases disproportionally affect immigrant communities. For example, besides financial costs, African new immigrant families face additional barriers, including those related to language and cultural values, which leads to a lower rate of dental care uptake for their children. Therefore, there is a clear need to enhance prevention and treatment of oral diseases among recent immigrant children, especially those from communities with a higher prevalence of dental problems. Dental education for immigrant and refugee families can be accomplished through community leaders with experience in health promotion. These individuals have the potential to reach out to newcomer parents, raise their awareness of oral health and preventive care, and facilitate their children’s access to dental services. Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of tooth decay affecting the primary teeth of preschool children. Canadian surveys have found that children from disadvantaged groups, including recent immigrants, have higher rates of caries and lower rates of dental visits than Canadian-born children and tend to seek dental care for treatment reasons.Oral diseases disproportionally affect immigrant communities. For example, besides financial costs, African new immigrant families face additional barriers, including those related to language and cultural values, which leads to a lower rate of dental care uptake for their children. Therefore, there is a clear need to enhance prevention and treatment of oral diseases among recent immigrant children, especially those from communities with a higher prevalence of dental problems. Dental education for immigrant and refugee families can be accomplished through community leaders with experience in health promotion. These individuals have the potential to reach out to newcomer parents, raise their awareness of oral health and preventive care, and facilitate their children’s access to dental services.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
The benefits of green space and nature experiences are increasingly being recognised and translated into public health policy and practice. Alongside this trend, inclusion of all people into parks and nature has been an important area of parks and recreation practice. Nature inclusion for those with disabilities, youth, seniors and immigrants has become a focus of Alberta in Western Canada. This study was designed to examine the influence of two such government supported nature interventions, including day trips and a more extensive weekend or week-long nature experience, on mental well-being outcomes. Findings show a positive trend towards improved depression markers, greater health satisfaction, improved social relationships (in particular, love and friendship), as well as satisfaction with a sense of community and experiences of helping. The benefits of green space and nature experiences are increasingly being recognised and translated into public health policy and practice. Alongside this trend, inclusion of all people into parks and nature has been an important area of parks and recreation practice. Nature inclusion for those with disabilities, youth, seniors and immigrants has become a focus of Alberta in Western Canada. This study was designed to examine the influence of two such government supported nature interventions, including day trips and a more extensive weekend or week-long nature experience, on mental well-being outcomes. Findings show a positive trend towards improved depression markers, greater health satisfaction, improved social relationships (in particular, love and friendship), as well as satisfaction with a sense of community and experiences of helping.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin
in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta. Guided by human capital theory, this phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of job satisfaction and over-qualification among 11 landed immigrants of African origin
in Alberta, Canada. Data were collected using semi structured interviews. Results may be used to enhance socioeconomic integration services and programs run by immigrant-serving organizations in Alberta.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Chinese Canadian youth are usually represented as a model minority and are therefore rendered invisible in identity debates. This paper examines how racism affects the identity construction of Chinese youth in different school fields. Particularly, I raise and discuss a theoretical concept, racialized habitus, which is manifested as both intergroup exclusion and intragroup distinction. This study indicates the continuing significance of research on racism. It calls for challenging racism as an act of distinction, habitus, and action, as well as a discursive practice of discourse. Chinese Canadian youth are usually represented as a model minority and are therefore rendered invisible in identity debates. This paper examines how racism affects the identity construction of Chinese youth in different school fields. Particularly, I raise and discuss a theoretical concept, racialized habitus, which is manifested as both intergroup exclusion and intragroup distinction. This study indicates the continuing significance of research on racism. It calls for challenging racism as an act of distinction, habitus, and action, as well as a discursive practice of discourse.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This study examines how five unions in the Canadian province of Alberta responded to a sudden influx of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) the mid-2000s. The authors find three types of response to the new TFW members: resistive, facilitative and active. (1) resistive response, which stems from unions’ unwillingness to advocate for TFWs as a part of the union membership and to acknolwedge thier economic vulnerabilities; (2) facilitative response, which is indicated by unions assisting emplyers to hire TFWs even if TFWs are viewed undesirable. This is a strategically advantageous response for unions because cooperation with the employer ‘maintains a steady labour supply to keep projects moving and members employed’; (3) and active response, which is marked by genuine efforts by unions to confront employers and advocate for TFWs’ vulnerability and unique legal status. Furthermore, these responses were dynamic and changing over time. The different responses are best explained not by the unions’ institutional context, but by internal factors shaping each union’s response. This study examines how five unions in the Canadian province of Alberta responded to a sudden influx of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) the mid-2000s. The authors find three types of response to the new TFW members: resistive, facilitative and active. (1) resistive response, which stems from unions’ unwillingness to advocate for TFWs as a part of the union membership and to acknolwedge thier economic vulnerabilities; (2) facilitative response, which is indicated by unions assisting emplyers to hire TFWs even if TFWs are viewed undesirable. This is a strategically advantageous response for unions because cooperation with the employer ‘maintains a steady labour supply to keep projects moving and members employed’; (3) and active response, which is marked by genuine efforts by unions to confront employers and advocate for TFWs’ vulnerability and unique legal status. Furthermore, these responses were dynamic and changing over time. The different responses are best explained not by the unions’ institutional context, but by internal factors shaping each union’s response.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
This paper presents the stories of four immigrant teachers as they endeavor to resume their teaching careers in Calgary, Alberta. The teachers in this study participated in a six-month professional bridging program in Calgary in 2008 in order to upgrade their professional knowledge and to meet Alberta certification requirements before seeking employment in local school boards. The professional integration consists of challenges and reflection on the teachers part, but they are happy that the bridging program helps them meet the Alberta certification requirements to be able to teach in local schools. The process of relearning through this program has improved their professional teaching and confidence level in terms of teaching methodology and interaction with students and colleagues. In a changing educational Alberta landscape that is becoming increasingly diverse, stories of internationally educated professionals are increasingly relevant, yet seldom found in the literature on teaching. This paper presents the stories of four immigrant teachers as they endeavor to resume their teaching careers in Calgary, Alberta. The teachers in this study participated in a six-month professional bridging program in Calgary in 2008 in order to upgrade their professional knowledge and to meet Alberta certification requirements before seeking employment in local school boards. The professional integration consists of challenges and reflection on the teachers part, but they are happy that the bridging program helps them meet the Alberta certification requirements to be able to teach in local schools. The process of relearning through this program has improved their professional teaching and confidence level in terms of teaching methodology and interaction with students and colleagues. In a changing educational Alberta landscape that is becoming increasingly diverse, stories of internationally educated professionals are increasingly relevant, yet seldom found in the literature on teaching.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
Skilled immigrants are a key source of labour supply to address the expected labour market shortages in Canada. But immigrants need the accreditation to work at their chosen occupation. However, credential recognition is difficult for many immigrants because they often don’t have access to credit. We analyzed the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) and estimated how profitable and efficient it is as an investment. IAF is an institution providing small loans on a not-for-profit basis to assist Alberta immigrants in acquiring the Canadian accreditation and training they need to work their field of expertise. We assessed that effectively, each dollar that the government puts towards this program generates $3 or more in GDP. This means that IAF is an efficient program, and it can serve as an example in the improvement of the Canadian immigration policy. Skilled immigrants are a key source of labour supply to address the expected labour market shortages in Canada. But immigrants need the accreditation to work at their chosen occupation. However, credential recognition is difficult for many immigrants because they often don’t have access to credit. We analyzed the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) and estimated how profitable and efficient it is as an investment. IAF is an institution providing small loans on a not-for-profit basis to assist Alberta immigrants in acquiring the Canadian accreditation and training they need to work their field of expertise. We assessed that effectively, each dollar that the government puts towards this program generates $3 or more in GDP. This means that IAF is an efficient program, and it can serve as an example in the improvement of the Canadian immigration policy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
